Letter from Stanley Andrews to President Harry S. Truman

20-m shat January 13, 1953 w My dear Mr. President: I had hoped in these last few days of our cleaning up and scrubbing the decks for the appearance of a new Captain and crew, that I would have a few minutes with you, first, to thank you for the opportunities you have given me to take a small part in one of the great programs of your administration, and second, to report to you somewhat briefly on the status of these programs throughout the 35 countries of the world where they are now operating. However, these are busy days and I know that your schedule is more than full and I shall not burden you with trying to secure an appointment. I merely wish to say that while I came to this position with considerable apprehension and some reluctance, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in this significant and important part of our foreign policy. I doubt now whether or not this program could really be stopped if an attempt were made. I sincerely believe if the administrations ahead can carry forward what has been started and let it multiply and grow along the fundamental lines laid down by you and our late good friend, Dr. Henry G. Bennett, this Program may mean a genuine turning point in a new concept of American foreign policy. I claim no credit for the ideas or the sound concepts with which Dr. Bennett clothed this effort, but I am glad to have had a small part in recent months in getting the show on the road. I shall not attempt to report on specific programs. I think the best report that could be made to you at this time has been made for us by an outside agency -- a great newspaper which in recent weeks has sent its reporters into the countries where the Point 4 Program has been operating, and on Monday came out with a world review and appraisal of the Point 4 concept and where it is going at the present time. I hope if you have not had the opportunity yet that sometime when the rush of the present days is over, you can read the 15 or 16 columns of stories, the leading editorial and the leading article by The New York Times which attempts to assess where Point 4 stands at the beginning of 1953. Certainly, it presents the program in the most favorable and the least critical light. So with NAME The President, The White House. GOVERNMENT